Question about new baby redfoot tortoises

[Nolan1992]

Hello everyone, I've had two baby redfoots for about a week now. I live in Miami and we have had great weather lately. If I keep close supervision, is it fine for me to take them outside for about 20 minutes every day to play in the grass? They are both about 3 inches.

 

[pfara]

Outside time is always encouraged. I would make a small outdoor enclosure for them, though. A frame (think sandbox without a bottom) works well to keep them enclosed but still able to have a romp in the grass if you're there to watch them. If not supervised, I'd have a cover to go on top of the frame just in case. It's very easy to lose babies if they're left in the open.

 

[Nolan1992]

Outside time is always encouraged. I would make a small outdoor enclosure for them, though. A frame (think sandbox without a bottom) works well to keep them enclosed but still able to have a romp in the grass if you're there to watch them. If not supervised, I'd have a cover to go on top of the frame just in case. It's very easy to lose babies if they're left in the open.

I don't currently have a backyard but I have a nice open field where I take my russian tortoise. But I don't have a lot of experience with the babies. Butt I'll be okay as long as I watch them ?

 

[pfara]

It's easy to take your eyes off of them. There are one too many stories of "I was <insert reason> and the next thing I knew, my tortoise was gone". I wouldn't take that risk especially in "a nice open field". Can you make a simple frame out of 2'x4' or something just to contain them? I've freaked out thinking I lost a tortoise in 2'x3' concrete mixing bin outside once, but she was just well hidden in the grass.

 

[Redstrike]

Don't do anything else but watch your tortoises. Take them outside as often and for as long as possible. There is nothing better for them.